I Hope We Don’t Put Pressure On Him To Get A Hundred - Sanjay Manjrekar Happy With Prithvi Shaw Getting 40s At High Strike Rate

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar identified Prithvi Shaw’s knock of 43 runs off just 24 balls in the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday as a highly impactful knock, one which practically sealed the chase.

Sanjay Manjrekar further added that the youngster shouldn’t be pressurized to reach the three-figure score, and stated that he would be happy with Shaw continuing to blast the opening bowlers even if he doesn’t carry on to a big score.

“I hope we don’t, typically like we do in India, put pressure on a young player, saying he has got to get a hundred. That 40 [43] he got today put India in a winning position after that; India wasn’t going to lose even if they tried,” Sanjay Manjrekar told Sony Sports. 

“I am happy with him getting 40s and 50s at the strike rate, provided there is enough batting after that. And it seemed like he wasn’t looking to play that way, but it was just happening. Ishan Kishan played a little differently, bordering on being frenetic,” he added.

He will start getting the big scores, winning is important: Sanjay Manjrekar

The commentator further emphasized the effect Shaw’s dash early in the innings had on the chase, which was chiseled down significantly in a short time.

Sanjay Manjrekar asserted that with time and experience, Shaw will score the big runs, but more importantly, now, even his short cameos are helping his side win.

“Eventually, he will start getting the big scores, but I don’t think the pressure should be put on him straight away that he has got to convert his starts into hundreds. Getting a hundred in ODI cricket, if you’re a good player batting at the top, you get hundreds. But winning is important.

“The impact of Prithvi Shaw’s innings, India chased down the target of 263 with 13.2 overs to spare. That’s a statement,” the former batsman stated.

Also Read: I Had Already Told Everyone That I Will Hit It For A Six – Ishan Kishan On His First Ball Six